18 October 2012

Legion




First of all, I apologize for my absence. I never intended to leave this blog unattended for such a long span so shortly after having created it.But simultaneously attending college and having a job tend to do that to one´s plans, and to me they have proved to be an exhausting combination.

I wonder, however, if part of the reason I had not updated  was also that I had this review waiting for me here. How do you review something this short? I mean... Anyone even remotely interested can pick the book and just read it all and be done with it. No great loss, whether you end up liking it or not...

But enough of that. 

For what its worth, I really liked Legion. In terms of characterization, dialogue and prose it was flawless, even if not outstanding. It had me reading page after page. It definitely was entertaining. But for all that, I can´t help feeling the short story form killed what would have otherwise  been a greater novel. I say this mostly because the execution of the plot really falls short in basically every possible way, thought in pacing above all. Everything just feels... hurried. More like a prologue or even a summary of the story than the actual story.

And come to think of it, if I recall correctly, there is a tv series in the making based on the aftermath of the book, so...


2 October 2012

Legacy of Kings (The Magister Trilogy, #3)


The plot basically centers on Gwynofar, Salvator, Kamala and Colivar as preparations are made and plans hatched not only to confront and finally vanquish the Souleaters that have trespassed the Wrath, but to come to peace with their past, their beliefs, and their future. It is mostly this group whom we follow through the novel, thought now and then we fortunately get glimpses from Siderea, who now stands in direct opposition to them. 

As the last book in the trilogy, LoK is supposed to be the climax in terms of plot and character development. However, for the most part what we find are overused words (Dark, for example. I get that magisters are dark and what-not, but there is really no need to describe every third damned thing any joe does with the word. ), overlong phrases, needless viewpoint characters, and awkward pacing and resolutions. In short, the book is a veritable letdown when compared to the first installment or even the second. And that in itself says a lot, because neither Wings of Wrath nor Feast of Souls were perfect.